I’m Speaking: 3 Ways Women Can Ditch the Doubt and Present with Power and Presence
As women, we face a unique challenge when it comes to public speaking: the double bind of being expected to project both authority and warmth, confidence and relatability. It’s an unfair and often unconscious bias, but one that can leave us feeling like we’re constantly walking a tightrope between being “too much” and “not enough.”
Sheryl Sandberg summed it up perfectly: “We expect men to be assertive, look out for themselves, and lobby for more—so there’s little downside when they do it. But women must be communal and collaborative, nurturing and giving, focused on the team and not themselves, lest they be viewed as self-absorbed. And the benefits we reap when we do speak up aren’t always commensurate with the risks we take.”
But here’s the good news: with the right mindset and tools, you can ditch the self-doubt, own your unique strengths, and authentically connect with any audience. Here are three strategies to help you do just that.